Our HRD minister Mrs. Smriti Irani is not a gradulate. So what?

A couple of weeks back Mr. Ajay Maken, Congress leader, twitted about HRD minister not being graduate and raised concern if she is fit to deliver. Going by that logic, Ajay Maken should have represented India in some sports before becoming sports minister in UPA 2.  And the media has created a hype as if an undergraduate is picked straight from college and made a minister. Half of the people raising their voice opposing Mrs. Irani might not even know what an HRD minister is expected or empowered to do.

“I guess HRD minister has something to do with universities, UGCs, …oh ya IIMs come under him, remember Arjun Singh increased quota in IIMs…”, That’s what a friend told me when I asked what do you expect from HRD minister.

  

The Ministry is responsible for the development of human resources. The ministry is divided into two departments: the Department of School Education and Literacy, which deals with primary and secondary education, adult education and literacy, and the Department of Higher Education, which deals with university education, technical education, scholarship etc.  More on HRD department can be explored here. 

Now that we know what the ministry is reponsible for, lets look at how logical the criticism is. Some more by Madhu Kishwar, academician and writer:

First of all, As per Indian constitution, there is no minimum education qualification required to contest elections. If that is the case, anybody can stand and represent section of people from a region. If he gets sufficient acceptance (votes), he has all the rights to sit in Parliament and represent those people. If candidate’s Party decides, he can become PM of the nation also without being elected by people in Lok Sabha (has to become member of Rajya Sabha in such case). So you see, even a 4^th grader can be a PM if he is capable enough.

Secondly, the point raised here is on formal education. We need to understand that there is a difference between having a qualification, having knowledge and being literate. Smriti Irani, as per her affaidavit, is not a graduate. So she may not be having enough qualification on papers. Does that mean she does not have knowledge? Or can we say that she is illiterate?

Knowledge can be acquired by self-learning and need not be restricted to four-walls of school or college for learning. It is more important to be literate and possess knowledge rather than gather a qualification. At a minister’s level, what is required is an understanding of ground reality. A direction for progress, a plan to achieve it and a will to execute that plan in timely manner. Clearly it doesn’t require an MBA or an Engineer or a Phd holder to be an HRD minister.

Third, if we look at her political career she climbed the ladder by working hard, starting at grass root level. In 2004 she was VP of Maharashtra Youth Wing. In 2010 she became National Secretary of BJP and then All India President for BJP Women’s wing. In 2011, she was sworn in as Member of Parliament from Gujarat to the Rajya Sabha. One cannot say that she has been favored by the appointment. She has experience in administration and command over her thoughts. If formal education was everything then why Constitution doesn’t prescribe that Only Phd or Professors can head HRD or only an ex-Amry man can head Defense or only an Investment Banker can lead Finance Ministry. That is not the criteria.

Forth, the criteria is Management skills. Are you capable of doing analysis, putting logical blocks? Can you understand a problem? Can you take tough but correct decisions? Can you evaluate solutions suggested by bureaucrats under you? Can you comprehend, articulate and communicate? Can you get the job done? Can you connect and create an impact? Are you visionary? Can you inspire? If answer is: Yes; then you have the required skill sets for the job.

Fifth, I want to refrain from naming any politician unnecessarily to further substantiate my point. But if you look at the Indian political scenario, few of the state heads, present or past, are not even 10^th Pass. Then how did they manage to work? How could they understand the Economics part of the Politics?

Sixth, as long as minister has an outlook, innovative ideas to lead, qualification doesn’t matter. In a way it is good because such individuals do not come with pre-conceived notions. They cannot complain that the task is too difficult. They are only energetic to deliver.

Seventh and importantly, she is not working alone. There is a team of people who would be guiding her. She herself would have access to information and can consult to experts before taking decisions. And when Prime Minister Mr. Modi says that he will submit a report card of his government in 2019, he must be clear about what he is doing. An able captain knows whom to field where and how to achieve targets. Let the captain take the calls and may not be necessary for him to justify everything as he does it.

Eighth and my favorite, look at the disruptive thought it gives. You don't need to be even a graduate to lead the nation with important portfolio. As we progress, it is important for us to acquire right skill sets, something my mentor and ex-boss always told me. Skills and smartness can take you places. I am not undermining the importance of formal education, it provides good start in career, but that should not be considered as a road-block for achieving your goals.

I think media and opposition are in hurry to see results. We have given votes and trusted them, now let us give them fair time to perform and showcase. It is not even a month yet. Criticisms are good and help in making democracy stronger but only healthy criticism helps in diverting energy in positive channel.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Looking at the quality of criticism and debates on television show, I do believe we are in urgent need of human resource development. Do watch this thoughtful video – views expressed by Mrs. Irani at International Women’s Conference held in Feb 2014. It will give you lot of hopes!

PS: I do not have any political affiliation or interest. Views are my own based on logical points that I can see.